Security file multi-bolt locking mechanism



Oct 1960 R. e. BLAUVELT 2,956,525

SECURITY FILEZ MULTI-BOLT LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 11, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 2a 28 INVENTOR 2 ROLAND a. BLAUVELT BY gilson Semmes ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1960 Filed Sept. 11, 1957 R. G. BLAUVELT SECURITY FILE MULTI-BOLT, LOCKING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROLAND 6. BLAUl/ELT BY j g iun Semmes ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1960 R. G. BLAUVELT SECURITY FILE MULTI-BOLT LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 11, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I 7' f l l I/ I I I52 x FIG. 8 I 1 H4 I l BY 114,;

INVENTOR ROLAND 6. BLAUVELT j 92 45 on Semmes ATTORNEY United States Patent f SECURITY FILE MULTI-BOLT LOCKING MECHANISM Roland G. Blauvelt, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Diebold, Incorporated, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Sept. 11, 1957, Ser. No. 683,392

4 Claims. (Cl. 109-59) This invention relates to burglar-proof and fire resistant filing cabinets and represents an improvement on the structure disclosed in the copending application of myself and Harvey L. Henkel, Serial No. 532,253, filed September 2, 1955, now Patent No. 2,887,965, dated May 26, 1959, and owned by the assignee of this application. As in said copending application, the present invention relates to cabinets of the type comprising a plurality of drawer sections generallyarranged in superimposed relation and wherein the drawers are provided with individual locking mechanisms, collectively under the control of one master lock. More specifically, the invention consists in new and useful improvements in the locking mechanisms and in the reinforcement of certain critical areas of the drawer fronts, by means of increasing the number of bolts employed in the locking mechanism and employing a tool steel barrier encasing the lock, antiwedging strips, L-shaped members, hook members, tent angles and the like. These improvements are so arranged as to afford maximum protection against surreptitious or forced entry in the event an attack be made upon the locking mechanism of the file.

As in said copending application, the file cabinets of this invention are provided with ganglock mechanisms, located just inside the front faces of the drawers, each mechanism being equipped with an individual control knob or handle, whereby locking bolts are projected or retracted with respect to complementary locking recesses located in the front portion of the cabinet shell adjacent the drawer fronts, the mechanisms being under the common control of a combination lock and latch member, usually located in the front of the top drawer of the series.

The locking mechanism of the present invention distinguishes over the copending application and other file cabinets with which I am familiar, principally in that in the latter, the locking mechanism in each drawer comprises one or at the most two locking bolts. My locking mechanism comprises six bolts in each drawer in addition to a ganglock plunger or locking rod. In addition, my locking mechanism distinguishes over others in that the critical area reinforcements are designed to pre vent access from the front as well as from behind the locking mechanism, whereas reinforcements in the other file cabinets have been designed to prevent access from only the front of the locking mechanism. In using the terminology from behind I refer to attempted access which is not directed through the drawer fronts and, thus, include attempted angular access from above, below, the sides and rear of the drawer front. Such attempted angular access or access from behind is planned to avoid the protecting plates which have been placed in security file drawer fronts and is substantially prevented by my invention. My locking mechanism includes also members designed to retain locking mechanism components in parallel with the protecting and supporting lock plate which is positioned within each drawer front.

It is therefore a primary object of the present inven- 2 tion to provide a locking mechanism employing an increased number of locking bolts and thereby rendering forced or surreptitious entry more difiicult.

Anotherobject of my invention is to provide critical area reinforcements to the locking mechanism which will prevent access from the front as well as from behind.

An additional object of my invention is to provide locking mechanism reinforcements which will retain locking mechanism components in parallel with a plane defined by the drawer front and the various lock plate and reinforcing plates located therein.

An additional object of my invention is to provide improved reinforcements in the drawer and shelf fronts directed to additionally protecting locking mechanism components from frontal access.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features herein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designate similar parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a rear view, looking forward from inside of the top drawer;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the top of the top drawer front showing locking mechanism components in locked position;

Figure 3 is a rear view, looking forward from inside of a lower drawer in locked position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken transversely through the top drawer cabinet front;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken transversely through a lower drawer cabinet front;

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of my hook member retaining the locking rod collar in parallel with a.- plane defined by the drawer front, taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view of my hook shaped locking rod retaining member, taken along lines 77 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely through a security file shelf showing top and lower drawer in locked position; and

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along lines 99 of Figure 8, and showing my unique horseshoe-shaped laminated metal protecting shield and my hexagonally-shaped hardened tool steel supporting tube.

In the drawings, Figure 4 illustrates a security file top drawer front comprising an outer skin 2 and an inner skin 6 joined by continuous encircling web members 10. Within the drawer front is the protecting and supporting lock plate which comprises upper section 22, mid-section 30 and lower section 32, which sections may be welded together as at 34. Attached to the mid-section 30 of the lock plate is a combination lock means generally designated as 35, operable by means of the operating shaft 36 which has mounted at its other end the combination lock dial 26. The operating shaft 36 is provided with a protecting metal sleeve 38. As in the copending application, drawer front reinforcements comprise a laminated metal shield 14, constructed of five rectangular sections tack-welded together, a laminated metal band 24 completely surrounding each drawer front, and a laminated application, between the laminated plate 14 and the lock plate sections 22, 30 and 32 there is inserted insulating and fireproofing material which generally consists of a mixture of cement which has desiccant qualities. The drawer front inner skin 6 may be supported by angles 76 which are attached to the bottom of the drawer which is shown infragment. As additional reinforcement in the drawer front, I have employed a vertically disposed tool steel plate 18 which reinforces the lock plate and protects the locking mechanism components. This tool steel plate is also employed in the lower drawers and in the trade is designated as Rex M2 Crucible Molybdenum High Speed Steel, approximately A" thick. Its nonferrous composition is as follows: Carbon-0.83%; chromium-4.l%; vanadium 1.90%; tungsten 6.40%; molybdenum-5.00%. It is specially heat treated at a temperature of 2225 F. for one hour, then cooled at room temperature. It is tempered by application of a temperature of 1000 F. for one hour, cooling at room temperature, re-application of a temperature of 1000 F. for one hour and recooling at room temperature.

Also shown in Figure 4 is my unique auxiliary casing for the combination lock 35. This casing comprises similar hardened tool steel, top, bottom and side covers generally designated as 46 retained by upper and lower angle plates or brackets 40 which may be mounted by means of screws 42 in the lock plate mid-section 30. This casing is generally designated as 46 in Figure 1.

Also shown in Figure 4 is my unique longitudinally disposed rectangular strip 48 of similar hardened tool steel, continuously welded above the lock mechanism top cover and preventing surreptitious entry by forcing of tools on the combination lock housing from above the drawer front. In Figure 1, my combination lock 35, mounted on operating shaft 36, is shown in phantom. The combination lock housing is generally designated as 46 and its rear plate has hole 102 therein permitting access when the drawer is opened, by means of special key for purposes of changing the combination. Here shown is the combination lock latch member 94 and protecting shoulder 104. As may be readily seen upon unlocking and withdrawal of the latch member 94, the cam 88 may be rotated counterclockwise, thereby withdrawing the looking bolts 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 as well as the ganglock plunger 72 to unlocked position. The cam 88 is rotatably mounted on operating shaft 86 which has at its drawer front end a thumb latch control handle 28.

Also mounted on the operating shaft 86 is a crank arm 90 having a stud 92 which fits within a corresponding hole in the surface of cam 88. This rotatable connection without retaining means permits the crank arm to be pushed out of contact with the cam in the event that the operating shaft 86 is forced inwardly, thereby rendering the locking mechanism inoperative. The cam shoulder 96 as seen in Figures 2 and 5 has an angular flange 98 which rests on latch member 94. Upper vertical lock bar 50, lower vertical lock bar 52, upper horizontal lock bar 54 and lower horizontal lock bar 56 are pivotally connected at eccentric points on the cam as at 106. The upper and lower vertical lock bars 50 and 52, have a longitudinal recess therein, permitting slidable retention by means of bolt and washer as at 110. These vertical lock bars are welded respectively to upper bolt actuator arm 56 which has locking bolts 60 and 62 appended thereto, and lower bolt actuator arm 58, which has locking bolts 66, 68 and ganglock plunger 72 appended thereto. The horizontal lock bars 54 and 56 directly actuate locking bolts 67 and 70 which are appended thereto. The pivotal connection of the lower vertical lock bar 52 on cam 88 is protected by means of a longitudinally disposed L-shaped member 108 mounted on the cam and substantially encompassing the pivotal connection, so as to prevent access to the lower vertical lock bar for ur oses of locking or unlocking the sanit the lower drawers. Protection from side access to locking bolts 60, 62, 66 and 68 is provided by flange edges 78 of the lock supporting plate upper section 22 and flanged edges 80 of the locking plate lower section 32. These locking bolts are positioned and additionally protected by means of bolt retaining plates 82 and 84 of the locking plate upper section 22 and lower section 32, respectively. Locking bolts 64 and 70 are protected by bolt angles which have similar bolt retaining sections and flanges, as shown in Figure 1. In my top drawer front I have also employed as reinforcement inverted angles 112 additionally protecting against surreptitious entry from behind the drawer front.

As will be seen in Figures 1 and 3, I have employed a rectangularly shaped retainer 114, adapted for positioning and retaining the ganglock plunger 72 and the locking rods 74 in parallel with the drawer front. My unique safety latch mechanism is illustrated in Figtires 1, 2 and 3 and comprises a spring actuated lock bar retaining member 118, having a flat end and at its other end engaging notch 117 in lower vertical lock bar 52. The lock bar retaining member 118 is pin mounted as at 168 on bracket 126 and slidably retained by bracket 116 which may be fastened by means of screws to the lock plate mid-section 30. Upon counterclockwise movement of the cam to unlocked position, my bolt retaining bar 118 is spring pressed into notch 117 thereby retaining the lower vertical lock bar 52, the cam 88 and thus the remaining lock bars in unlocked position and preventing shearing of the lock bolts by closing of the drawers with the bolts in locked position. Upon closing of the drawers, spring pressed means in the side of the drawer depress the flat end 120 of the bolt retaining bar 118, permitting the lower vertical lock bar 52, the cam and the remaining lock bars to be moved to locked position.

An additional unique reinforcement which I have employed is, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, my tent supporting angle 122 which supports a longitudinally disposed angular tent 124 which prevents access from the side onto the cam from behind the security file front.

As will be seen in Figures 3 and 7, I have employed hook member 128 which is base mounted in the lock plate mid-section to retain the locking rod 74 in parallel with the drawer front plate. In Figures 3 and 6 a somewhat similar retaining means comprises a screw mounted locking rod collar 130, having a shoulder 164 which engages a lock plate mounted hook 132, said hook retaining said collar and thus the locking rod 74 in parallel with the lock plate at all times. The shoulder 164 nearly abuts cam shoulder 166 when the cam is in locked position-and prevents turning of the cam to unlocked position while the lock is in locked position. In Figure 6, collar 130 is shown mounted on locking rod 74 by means of screw fastening .134. This may be a fillister head screw with a lock nut. Also illustrated in Figure 3 are block out pieces 136 which are welded at right angles to the lock plate amid-section 30 so as to permit the pouring of insulation between the enclosure defined by this block out piece 136, angular flanges 78, and the Web members 10. Similarly, insulation means may be poured into the areas defined by' the Web member 10, angular fianges 78 or '80, and bolt support angles 100. This insulation provides additional reinforcement against access from the side.

As will be seen in Figure 3, cam members 88 in the lower drawers are urged to clockwise or locked position by means of coil spring 138 which is attached by means of a screw to the lock plate mid-section. Locking rod 74 is urged upwardly by means ofcoil spring 142 attached to a lower portion thereof and abutting retainer 114.

My unique reinforcements to the coupling locking mechanism are illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, wherein horizontal cross member 12 of the security file front provides spaced support for drawer receiving compartments, and transverse laminated metal plate .144 extends vertically across the shelf front. I have employed in this invention additional reinforcing comprising a hexagonally-shaped supporting tube 148 having therein a large upper portion 154 and a small lower portion 148, and urged to upright position by means of angle 150 which may be welded to the shelf. Also, 'I have inserted a horseshoe shaped laminated metal plate 146 which partially encircles and protects the hexagonal support tube 148, preventing access onto the coupling locking mechanism from the front and sides of the security files. As in the copending application, the coupling locking mechanism, as illustrated, comprises a ganglock plunger 72 within the top drawer engaging a plunger shaft 152 which has a peripherally recessed head 160 and is urged upwardly by means of a plunger spring 158. In order to prevent shearing while the drawer-s are open, independent spring means coactable with the rear of each drawer engage the peripheral recessed head 160 preventing it and the plunger shaft 152 from protruding in the path of the drawers upon closing.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a file cabinet constructed in accordance with the present invention is practically impervious to surreptitious entry and substantially preventive of forced entry. In addition to the drawer front reinforcements previously contrived and preventing frontal access to the locking mechanism, I have devised means which will prevent access from behind. Thus, wedging in from above, from the sides, and from below is substantially prevented. In addition, I have devised unique multi-bolt locking mechanism and critical area reinforcements of the combination lock, pivotal connections on the cam and locking rod components.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art without further description, it being home in mind that numerous changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a vertical file cabinet including a plurality of superimposed file drawers separated by a plurality of shelf members, a multi-bolt locking mechanism comprising a main lock mechanism in the uppermost drawer including a combination lock means and latch member in one side of said drawer; a cam rotatably mounted on an operating shaft, said cam being releasable for operation by withdrawal of said latch member; upper and lower vertical lock bars and upper and lower horizontal lock bars pivotally connected to said cam; an L-shaped member fixed to a side of said cam interme diate the pivotal connection of said lower vertical lock bar and said operating shaft and projecting inwardly at right angles from said cam, one leg of said L-shaped member extending over the top of the pivotal connection of said lower vertical lock bar to said cam and the other leg extending between said pivotal connection and said operating shaft, and a vertically disposed tent angle positioned between the unprotected side of said pivotal connection and the other side of said drawer and extending substantially from the top of said drawer to the bottom of said cam and projecting inwardly and obliquely from said drawer, said tent angle protecting said cam and said lower vertical lock bar pivotal connection from access from the side of said drawer opposite said combination lock.

2. In a file cabinet including a plurality of superimposed fi'le drawers separated by a plurality of shelf members, a locking mechanism comprising a main multibolt lock mechanism in the uppermost drawer, a secondary multi-bolt lock mechanism in succeeding drawers, a ganglock plunger in said uppermost drawer, operatively connected to said main lock mechanism and vertically shiftable thereby, vertically aligned secondary control rods in each of the succeeding drawers and an independent coupling rod in each of said shelves aligned for abutment by the secondary control rod of the drawer next above and next below, rotatable cam means mounted in said secondary multi-bolt lock mechanism in succeeding drawers and a collar attached to each of said vertically aligned secondary control rods above said cam, an L-shaped bracket having one leg fastened in the front of each of said succeeding drawers above said cam, and extending inwardly thereof and another leg offset and parallel to said front of said drawer and engaging the inner side of said collar, said collar being actuable between the L-shaped member and the front of said drawer and said collar having a portion movable into the path of movement of a complementary shoulder portion of said cam when said secondary control rod is in locked position.

3. In a security file locking mechanism, a rotatable cam actuating mean comprising a cam rotatably mounted on an operating shaft, lock bars eccentrically pivoted on said cam and an L-shaped member fixed to a side of said cam intermediate at least one of the pivotal connections of said lock bars to said cam and said operating shaft and projecting inwardly at right angles from said cam, one leg of said L-shaped member extending over the top of one said pivotal connection and the other leg extending between said pivotal connection and said operating shaft, said L-shaped member protecting said pivotal connection from top access and access from one side.

4. A security file locking mechanism comprising a lock plate having a rotatable cam with lock bars pivotally connected thereto and at least one vertically disposed tent angle attached to said lock plate intermediate said cam and a side of said file; and said tent angle extending from the top to the bottom of said cam and projecting inwardly and obliquely from said locking mechanism, said tent angle impeding side access from one side onto said cam.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 314,401 Tower Mar. 24, 1885 547,387 Taylor Oct. 1, 1895 1,282,115 Older Oct. 22, 1918 1,471,517 Kline Oct. 23, 1923 1,669,486 Pyle May 15, 1928 1,715,191 Fellows May 28, 1929 1,716,426 Cramer et al June 11, 1929 2,209,727 Gibson July 30, 1940 2,379,157 Jones June 26, 1945 2,804,364 Belew Aug. 27, 1957 2,823,536 Watson Feb, 18, 1958 

